Replay: Chat with Wolverines beat writer Mark Snyder

Mark answered readers' questions Oct. 30, 2013

Mark is here to answer your questions about the Michigan football and basketball teams and this weekend's big game.

by James Jahnke10/30/2013 1:28:46 PM

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Their weaknesses are on offense. If Michigan's defense can play at a level it has flashed in spurts, for halves this year, that give them a chance to win. But expecting to win by scoring 30 points doesn't seem realistic.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 1:56:24 PM

With AJ Williams out this weekend will that force Funchess back inside to tight end?

by Hammer10/30/2013 1:56:27 PM

Possibly, but U-M needs him at wideout to spread the coverage away from Jeremy Gallon. His impact at tight end as a blocker would be minimal, so they'd probably use Jake Butt or Jordan Paskorz in that role.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 1:57:23 PM

Lavert, Stauskas, McGarry, Walton, GR3/ Is this the best lineup coming out of the box?

by Peter10/30/2013 1:57:36 PM

Well, that lineup is not coming out of the box, because McGary's injured. Based on last night's blowout, I'll go with Walton, Stauskas, LeVert, Robinson and Horford.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 1:58:36 PM

Something seems to be wrong with Taylor Lewan and appears to be having a down year. Is his draft stock falling and did he make a mistake not coming out last season?

by Chris Schultz10/30/2013 1:58:43 PM

How much is jake ryan going to play this weekend?? I think he is the missing veteran leader to turn our defense around and into a force.....he brings the pass rush we need and is a solid tackler!!! And do you think its time for people to lay off hoke, mattison, and borges??

by Hokeamania10/30/2013 2:00:16 PM

Ryan will probably play quite a bit. U-M has increased his role over his two games and said this week he'll be playing even more. He's obviously still the impact defender who can change the game.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:01:36 PM

Mark Do you think Coach Borges calls more first down pass play's to try an open up the MSU defense or will it be the usual road game plan of trying to establish the run?

by INJ10/30/2013 2:01:42 PM

U-M would love to run the ball with the tailback but probably will have to operate in reverse, using the pass to loosen up the front because trying to run straight up against the nation's best doesn't make much sense.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:02:33 PM

Mark, who do you see as having the edge when comparing Gallon/Funchess to MSU's linebackers and secondary? MSU has faced two better offenses than Michigan in Illinois and Indiana and handled them very well, especially Illinois. I'm worried.

by Tom Brady Hoke10/30/2013 2:02:41 PM

Michigan State has an outstanding secondary with Darqueze Dennard at cornerback and Isaiah Lewis at safety. But Gallon and Funchess have proven this year the ability to us their skills against any secondary so I think they could get a big play or two. Consistently? I'm not sure.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:04:29 PM

How about the punter comparrisons? As an MSU alum/fan I'm sure glad we have Sadler to make um have a long field.

by KeithKZ10/30/2013 2:04:37 PM

Oh yeah, Sadler may be the best in the country and is remarkably consistent. (he's a hell of a student also.) Michigan will certainly have long fields in this game but that's been a regular occurence this year.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:05:37 PM

Okay I know this chat is only for Michigan fans , but as a Spartan I am really worried about this game. Michigan's TE / WR Devin Funchess is a nightmare of a mismatch. Who do you see MSU trying to cover him, also WR Jeremy Gallon speed and route running has me a bit nervous. Not to worried about Michigan running the ball on MSU. They might get some yards here and there just not consistently.

by Josh10/30/2013 2:05:50 PM

No, this chat is for everyone! Welcome. Michigan State will have to make a choice on Gallon or Funchess, who to single cover because both present different matchup problems. It was no coincidence that Gallon's record-setting game against Indiana came because the Hoosiers gave extra attention to Funchess.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:07:17 PM

Mark, I remember hearing Chris Spelman (great guy, Ohio notwithstanding) talking about the pressure being put on the OL because of the blocking scheme -- pulls, stunts and so on -- for a young OL. He said that he thought they needed to simplify and go to more staight ahead approach. Thoughts on this? Is this where Borges is falling down?

by Drew10/30/2013 2:07:56 PM

Until the last game, U-M didn't even know which were the best five players for the offensive line. That's where the unit's challenges start. As for the blocking schemes, I can see the issues for younger players. But I don't know enough about that to speak specifically.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:09:24 PM

This game is too close to call, home field advantage MSU is the difference, U of M not impressive on the road!

by Jazzman10/30/2013 2:09:27 PM

The road struggles are a fair concern, as U-M is just 5-6 away from home and just 1-1 this year, squeezing by Connecticut and falling to Penn State in 4 OTs.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:10:15 PM

MSU is a toss-up. If Michigan loses to Nebraska at home, there's something wrong. And never count Michigan out against OSU.

by Benji10/30/2013 2:10:20 PM

With the press coverage of the corners and MSU linebackers being run stoppers/blitzers do you see any play action to TEs in the middle of the field to take advantage of their aggressiveness?

by Nashville Cat10/30/2013 2:10:28 PM

I guess that's an option but Jake Butt has caught only seven passes all season. Maybe if Funchess is in there they'll throw over the middle but the press coverage is just going to be part of the physical nature where U-M's WRs have to respond. Jeremy Gallon showed his double moves against Indiana and that's tough to handle given his size and speed.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:13:32 PM

Does Michigan land either Booker or Blackmon?

by JVS10/30/2013 2:13:36 PM

It doesn't sound like either 2014 basketball recruit will commit to the Wolverines during his Thursday announcement. The recruiting experts are speculating on Kentucky or Missouri for Booker and Kentucky for Blackmon, though U-M probably has a better shot with him.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:14:45 PM

The Paul Bunyon trophy is ugly but it was awful nice having it back in AA. I'm going to be swearing at the TV if sparty is parading it all around the stadium as they have recently! Am I alone on this!

by Jleed10/30/2013 2:14:49 PM

mark, when will we the true brady hoke team show up? Is it not until gardner leaves? Is Morris the right qb in this system?

by joe10/30/2013 2:14:56 PM

I'm not sure. The coaches wanted this year to be the traditional pro style offense but when you can't run the ball with the tailback, the spread/shotgun plays become more necessary. The following quarterbacks, including Shane Morris, are not the runners Gardner is so that may force a change.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:16:08 PM

UM's corners against the MSU receivers seems like a favorable matchup for UM. Agree? MSU doesn't have any big-time playmakers at WR.

by Hank10/30/2013 2:16:14 PM

If you can tell me the corners will hold on to the passes they have the chance to intercept, I'll give you that one. But being in position is only part of the process, as we've seen the past two games.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:17:04 PM

It feels like UM as a whole is very scared of this game with all their comments. Is it just me or does UM sound like MSU used to sound 10 years ago? trying to rationalize motivation and ability?

by thatguy10/30/2013 2:17:17 PM

I don't know if it's rationalization, but UM is listed as the underdog by nearly everyone predicting this game so they may be right. But I don't think scared is the right word -- maybe motivated?

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:18:21 PM

Without McGary our season is basically done right? When I go down the lineup compared to State, it seems our #9 ranking is incredibly generous.

by Hokester10/30/2013 2:18:23 PM

Without McGary, Michigan is not a national title team. But a Top 20 team? Most likely. In the non-conference without him, who are the threats? Duke? Beyond that, U-M can probably win its other non-conference games. Things will get more challenging in Big Ten play but, unlike college football where one game can bounce you early, March is all that matters, and that's a long time away for him to get healthy.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:20:19 PM

I have a bad feeling Gardner will be hit very hard and knocked out of the game, MSU injured the Wisconsin QB last year

by Jazzman10/30/2013 2:20:25 PM

Has the UM coaching staff been playing it close to the vest waiting for this stretch run or is it only wishful thinking on my part?

by Nashville Cat10/30/2013 2:20:29 PM

I'd go with wishful thinking. They've done a lot of experimenting and tinkering and, as Brady Hoke said, there's been too much inconsistency. But both the offense and defense have shown a high ceiling. It's just a question of sustaining it against better teams.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:21:44 PM

It seems our line is sketchy on both sides of the ball while State looks solid on each...does that spell trouble for us?\

by Hokester10/30/2013 2:21:55 PM

Brady Hoke always says that's where the game is won, on the lines. But I think this game may be the exception. If U-M can hold to a stalemate up front, that would be a victory given the big-play offense.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:22:49 PM

Who'll be the standout player on saturday? I say Funchess.

by CBRAD10/30/2013 2:23:11 PM

I can see him being important either way -- with big plays in a win or by being a non-factor in a loss. He is the most physically gifted receiver in this game.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:24:10 PM

Whatever happens with U-M this year, I feel like next year should be better. The young offensive line and secondary will grow up, new defensive talent arrives and Derrick Green should be more capable of making plays. Plus the schedule gets easier. Am I totally off-base?

by Phil Wenzel10/30/2013 2:24:32 PM

I don't know that the schedule can be easier than this year, but maybe. Having a potentially elite cornerback in freshman Jabrill Peppers could make a huge difference and there will be so many young players who experienced this year of growth. But the key factor will be whether Devin Gardner returns. If he does, there will be great expectations.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:25:56 PM

Okay this comment may stir up some unwanted attention but many Spartan fans my self included feel Michigan and the media are trying to put a target on MSU. Several article the last couple days about Michigan players complaining about a game 2 years ago where MSU bullied Michigan. We all know what they are referring to by that with the fighting and Gholston Lewan debacle. It just seems Michigan is trying to plant the seed for the refs to take control and hand out a few more penalties in there favor because MSU is a bunch of bullies / thugs? I could be way wrong here but even in Coach Dantonio media day yesterday he even eluded to such tactics by Michigan and said the official need to call a fair game and of course they may get a call wrong here or there.

by Josh10/30/2013 2:26:11 PM

That's a theory but I don't think the media is complicit in this. All we've done is write what the players have said. The Michigan players are focused on being physical and so that has come through in their comments.

by Mark Snyder10/30/2013 2:27:05 PM

So aside from recruiting and our overall record,maybe the timekeeper or "dirty plays" and refs, what other excuses can I throw out after the loss on Saturday?

by Hokester10/30/2013 2:27:15 PM

Very good... And with that, thanks for all the questions today. Keep your eye on Freep.com today for Brady Hoke and Devin Gardner's press conferences, tomorrow from Big Ten basketball media day in Chicago and on Saturday from some football game somewhere in this state. Thanks!